Angry Woodward brings Worsley to task

England 111 Uruguay 13

Wasps forward Worsley was given an ovation by English fans as he walked off, after being sin-binned for a high tackle on Uruguayan wing Joaquin Pastore. Worsley returned their cheers by applauding them, even though Pastore was still down receiving treatment from the Uruguayan medical team.

“I’ve had some very serious words with Joe Worsley. I think he made a bad error. It wasn’t the appropriate thing to do,” said Woodward, following the 111-13 success at Suncorp Stadium.

Worsley was not present at the post-match press conference, and Woodward said: “I just apologise on his behalf, because he is not here.

“I wasn’t happy at all with what he did. I think he’s made a big mistake. People were clapping him off, and it wasn’t the right thing for him to do, especially considering one of their players was still down. But he will learn from it. He knows my views very clearly, and he will also apologise when he gets the opportunity.”

Woodward made no attempt to hide his anger, as the dust began settling on a result that gave England top spot in Pool C, and confirmed a Brisbane quarter-final against Wales next Sunday.

News elsewhere was much better, with wing Iain Balshaw not thought to be seriously hurt, despite being stretchered off with an ankle injury.

Full-back Josh Lewsey scored five tries to inspire a century points spree.

Nine England players touched down including Balshaw (two), Andy Gomarsall (two), Mike Catt (two) and substitute Jason Robinson (two).

Fly-half Paul Grayson played his part with 11 conversions. Uruguay prop Pablo Lemoine grabbed a consolation score for Los Teros, yet it was their worst Test defeat, surpassing a 70-0 loss to Argentina in 1977.

England scorers: Tries: Moody, Lewsey 5, Balshaw 2, Catt 2, Gomarsall 2, Luger, Abbott, Robinson 2, Greenwood. Cons: Grayson 11, Catt 2.

ENGLAND: Lewsey, Balshaw, Abbott, Catt, Luger, Grayson, Gomarsall, Leonard, West, Vickery, Corry, Grewcock, Worsley, Moody, Dallaglio. Replacements: Robinson for Balshaw (44), Greenwood for Grayson (62), Bracken for Gomarsall (62), White for Vickery (54), Johnson for Corry (45).

URUGUAY: Tries: Lemoine. Cons: Menchaca. Pens: Menchaca 2. Uruguay: Menchaca, Pastore, D. Aguirre, De Freitas, Viana, S. Aguirre, Campomar, Berruti, Lamelas, Lemoine, Bado, Alvarez, Brignoni, Grille, Capo. Replacements: Reyes for De Freitas (50), Sanchez for Berruti (45), Perez for Lamelas (57), Storace for Lemoine (70), Alzueta for Alvarez (55), Gutierrez for Grille (45).

Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales).